Hi there! I’m Craig Toby, and today we’re going to have some fun with a story called “Arthur’s Thanksgiving” by Marc Brown. Let’s dive into this exciting tale about Arthur and his big adventure as a director!
Arthur’s classroom was super quiet. Everyone was waiting to hear who would be the director for their Thanksgiving play, “The Big Turkey Hunt.” Arthur was nervous, and his friend Francine whispered, “Pick me!” But guess what? Mr. Ratburn chose Arthur to be the director! Arthur was surprised, and Francine wasn’t too happy about it.
As the director, Arthur had to pick who would play each part in the play. The turkey was the most important role, but Arthur was glad he didn’t have to be the turkey. At lunch, Francine gave Arthur cupcakes because she wanted to be the narrator. Buster let Arthur borrow his spaceman costume because he wanted to be Governor William Bradford. Being the director seemed like fun!
Arthur needed someone to play the turkey, but nobody wanted to do it. Francine wanted to be the narrator, Muffy wanted to be the Indian princess, and Buster wanted to be Governor Bradford. Even Arthur’s family couldn’t help. His dad had a dentist appointment, his mom joked about finding a turkey, and his sister DW didn’t want to wear the costume.
Arthur tried everything to find a turkey. He made announcements at school and put up posters, but no one wanted the part. The play was only six days away, and Arthur was worried. Francine said if there was no turkey, there would be no play.
On the day of the play, everyone was nervous. Arthur had a plan, but he kept it a secret. The whole school came to watch. As the play started, everything went smoothly. Muffy didn’t drop the cranberries, and Francine took off her movie star glasses.
When it was time for the turkey to appear, Arthur walked on stage. The audience laughed, and Arthur turned red. But then, a chorus of voices behind him said, “The turkey is a symbol of love, togetherness, and Thanksgiving.” Arthur smiled, realizing his mom was right: the world is full of turkeys!
In the end, Arthur learned that being a director means staying calm and working together with friends. Everyone shouted, “Happy Thanksgiving!” and the play was a big success.
Thanks for joining us for this fun story. Remember, teamwork and creativity can solve any problem. Happy Thanksgiving!
Role Play Fun: Gather your friends or family and create your own mini-play about a holiday or event. Choose roles just like Arthur did, and see how everyone can contribute to the story. You can use simple costumes or props from around the house. After the play, discuss how it felt to work together and what you learned about teamwork.
Turkey Hunt Adventure: Go on a “Turkey Hunt” in your backyard or a local park. Create a list of things you might find in nature that remind you of Thanksgiving, like leaves, acorns, or even a feather. As you find each item, think about how it might fit into a Thanksgiving story. Share your findings with your family and create a story together using the items you found.
Director’s Challenge: Imagine you are the director of a play. Draw a picture of the stage and where each character would stand. Think about what each character might say or do. Share your drawing with a friend or family member and explain your choices. How does it feel to be in charge of the story?
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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[Music]
Hey, I’m Craig Toby. Welcome to Story Time with Rylan, God, and Craig Toby. Remember, if you like what you see, just follow us on Instagram or visit our website to watch all of our retailers there or send us a message.
I have a message: “Pigs make good pets.” Nothing told you I don’t like pigs, but that’s it.
Today’s book is “Arthur’s Thanksgiving” by Marc Brown. Let’s get started!
“Arthur’s Thanksgiving” by Marc Brown.
Arthur’s class was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Mr. Ratburn was about to announce the director for the Thanksgiving play, “The Big Turkey Hunt.” Arthur chewed his pencil. “Pick me,” whispered Francine. They all held their breath.
“I’ve chosen Arthur to direct the play,” said Mr. Ratburn as he handed Arthur the script. “Me, the director?” said Arthur. “Oh no,” grumbled Francine. “This is going to be a disaster.”
Arthur’s first job as director was to assign parts. The narrator would have the most to say, but the turkey, the symbol of Thanksgiving, had the most important role of all. Secretly, Arthur was glad he wouldn’t have to be the turkey, but who would play that part?
At lunch, Francine gave Arthur two chocolate cupcakes; she wanted to be the narrator. Buster even let Arthur borrow his Captain Zoom spaceman costume; he wanted to be Governor William Bradford. Being the director seemed like fun!
“Hey, now, yeah! People just love you, and you’re the director, giving you bribes. Decisions got all the control. This is going to be great!” Nothing could go wrong, Arthur thought. Francine would make a good turkey. “No way,” said Francine. “I want to be the narrator. Besides, I haven’t allowed a turkey.” No doubt about that, Francine would be the narrator.
Arthur showed Muffy a drawing of the turkey costume. “Lots of feathers,” said Arthur. “It’s a very glamorous role.” “Yuck, vomitrocious!” squealed Muffy. “I should be the Indian princess. I have real brains!” “I saved the most intelligent part for you,” explained Arthur. “No way will I be the turkey,” answered The Brain. “I’ll be the Indian chief.”
“Buster, you’re my best friend,” began Arthur. “The part is real easy, only one line, and it’s the best in the play.” “I want to be Governor Bradford,” said Buster. Arthur was so desperate that he asked Binky. “The turkey is a strong and powerful animal,” argued Arthur. “Yeah, without saying a word, it can make you look like a fool in front of the entire school,” said Binky.
The play was only six days away. Where would Arthur find a turkey? Arthur knew he could count on his family. “I’d love to be the turkey,” said his father, “but I have a dentist’s appointment that I don’t want to miss.” “The world is for the turkeys,” joked his mother. “You should be able to find one.” “I wouldn’t be caught dead in that outfit,” said his sister, DW.
“Let’s talk turkey,” said Arthur over the PA system at school. “The best part in the Thanksgiving play is still open. If you’re interested, please come to the office at once.” No one came to the office. In fact, the principal left the office laughing. Arthur put posters in the cafeteria and placed ads in the school paper.
“Calling all turkeys! Call Arthur at 749-7978. Calling all turkeys! Hey turkeys, you want to be the star of the play?”
Arthur had other problems too. Muffy complained about everything. “I should be narrator; my parents are paying for the cast party,” she whined. Francine would not take off her movie star glasses, her good luck charm, but she was having a hard time seeing what she was doing. Buster couldn’t remember his lines.
The rehearsal went from bad to worse. When the Pilgrims and Indians decided to celebrate their friendship, Francine said they began to hunt for a turkey. “We got beans and pumpkin pies,” whispered Sue Ellen. The Pilgrims went off to hunt for a turkey. “We made cornbread and picked cranberries,” said Muffy. Oops! And the Indian Braves went on their own turkey hunt.
Then it was time for Francine to present the turkey. When the Indians and Pilgrims finally found the turkey, she began, “There was great rejoicing. Today, when we think of Thanksgiving, we think of turkey.” She glared at Arthur. “Don’t worry,” Arthur promised. “I told you I’d find a turkey.”
As a last resort, Arthur decided to rent a turkey, but that wasn’t such a good idea. “If you don’t get a turkey by tomorrow’s performance,” said Francine, “I quit.” Everyone agreed: no turkey, no play.
Arthur went home to think. He thought about turkeys while he did arithmetic, while he played the piano, and while he and DW did the dishes. “Boy,” said DW, “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”
The next morning, Francine, Muffy, and Buster stood before Arthur. They weren’t taking any chances. “Do we have a turkey?” they asked. Arthur just smiled.
The whole school filed into the auditorium. “Said the kids when the lights went out,” said the teachers. As the curtain went up, Buster recited, “In 1620, we sailed to America on the Mayflower,” proudly. “Phew,” said Arthur. The play continued smoothly. Muffy didn’t drop the cranberries, The Brain had his costume on correctly, Sue Ellen said her lines in a loud, clear voice, and Francine had even taken off her movie star glasses.
Then it came time for Francine’s big speech. She crossed her fingers and began, “When the Indians and Pilgrims finally found the turkey, there was great rejoicing. Today, when we think of Thanksgiving, we think of turkey.” There was a lot of fumbling behind the curtain. Arthur took a deep breath.
Being the director is great!
[Music]
What are we? Astronauts? Oh, it’s good divers!
What are we? Astronauts? I can’t either, that’s hard!
He walked on stage. As soon as he did, the audience began to laugh. Arthur turned bright red. This was going to be even worse than he had thought it would be.
“The turkey,” began Arthur, “is a symbol—a symbol of love, togetherness, and Thanksgiving,” said a chorus of voices behind him. Arthur turned around and smiled. “I guess my mom was right: the world is full of turkeys.”
“Okay, turkeys, all together now, let’s hear that last line loud and clear: Happy Thanksgiving!”
Like we said, here’s the thing about being a director: you can never lose your cool.
[Music]
Robb’s props. “Arthur’s Thanksgiving” by Marc Brown.
[Music]
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This version removes any inappropriate or unclear phrases while maintaining the essence of the story.
